Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins shared some encouraging news about his injury recovery as the team kicked off training camp. While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Cousins talked about how much his ankle has healed over he last few months.
“The ankle’s coming. Even since the last time I spoke here, I think it’s strong, more athletic, more dynamic,” Cousins said. “I think the thought of play football to rehab it has been a great plan because I think that’s what I need. I still got more to go, but I’m moving well and able to play the poisition. I took off today during a little two-minute preiod. Was able to run and felt no worse for the wear. Felt like I was still moving well.
I think I might have given Coach [Zac Robinson] a bit of a heart attack, but I felt good so he can rest assured knowing that. It’s different getting hit. I got a red jersey on right now. When we get hit, you got to be strong enohg to really stand underneath the weight of not just you but of a d-lineman. …The timing I think it is a work in progress. When you put the pads on and you got Grady Jarrett pass rushing and you got some other variables, it’s not the style that it is in OTAs when you’re out there just shorts and a t-shirt and less of a rush.”
Kirk Cousins getting love from Falcons defensive players
Cousins went on to talk about the boost of confidence he received after taking off for a run during practice. “I think it probably boosts the team’s confidence,” Cousins revealed. It’s funny because we’re competing against the defense, so they’re not really rooting for me. I took off and gained like six yards, and I never heard an opposing sideline so happy.”
Cousins spent the six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2023, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback only played in eight games because he tore his Achilles in a game against the Green bay Packers on Oct. 29. In March, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons. Over a month later, the Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, but Cousins will be the starter until he’s no longer with the team.